Sattahip residents plant 500 trees for HM the Queen’s birthday

Royal Thai Navy personnel, students and Sattahip-area residents planted 500 trees to honor HM Queen Sirikit on her 79th birthday.

Rear Adm. Tharathorn Khajitsuwan, commander of the Air and Coastal Defense Command, presided over the Aug. 12 event co-sponsored by PTT Chemical and Muang Thai Life Insurance at the unit’s Sattahip headquarters.

The tree planting was meant to both honor HM the Queen and raise awareness about the need for environmental conservation, which both benefits the planet and the Sattahip area’s tourism industry, Tharathorn said.

Royal Thai Navy personnel, students and Sattahip-area residents plant trees to honor HM Queen Sirikit on her 79th birthday.

He said the turnout demonstrated the solidarity of the people and their love of the monarchy. It’s hoped the mangroves will help revitalize Sattahip’s coastal ecosystem, he said.

This article was published in the Pattaya Mail newspaper on Friday August 26, 2011 (Vol. XIX No. 34).